Alleging he has been "manipulated" by the producers of American Idol, former winner Phillip Phillips has launched a bold legal claim to escape what his lawyers describe as an "oppressive" contract.
The winner of season 11 of the hit reality show claims he was forced to perform without payment for one Idol sponsor, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 24-year-old also alleges he did not know the name of his latest album, Behind the Light, until his management announced it publicly.
Phillips has lodged a petition with the California Labor Commission that seeks to void his recording, management and merchandising deals with Idol producer 19 Entertainment and its affiliated companies.
Since winning American Idol in 2012, Phillips has sold more than 9 million singles and 2 million albums.
The Hollywood Reporter describes his petition as a "bombshell", arguing that if he is successful, "the ramifications would be huge – potentially impacting other successful competitors on Idol as well as perhaps other reality TV competition shows".
Before Phillips was voted the winner almost three years ago, he signed a contract containing terms that are relatively favourable to the producers. (Other reality show contestants have claimed that such contracts are standard.) According to to the court documents, for instance, when Phillips does an endorsement, 19 Entertainment takes a cut of up to 40 per cent.
The singer argues the company breached its fiduciary duty to him by compelling him to do jobs that benefited it rather than him. In 2013, he claims he did a live show for free to promote Idol sponsor JetBlue.
He also contends the company gave him an album producer who "compromised his interests"; that the company withheld information regarding his career; and that it lied to him, saying his producer would not receive more mechanical royalties [per-unit payments for each CD and download] than he would.
Phillips' petition largely concerns the Talent Agencies Act, which dictates that only licensed talent agents can procure employment for clients. The singer alleges that 19 Entertainment, which is not a licensed agent, has "procured" gigs for him on programs such as Late Show With David Letterman, the Today show, Ellen and The View. According to the complaint, this amounts to "flagrant violations of the [TAA]".
Phillips told The Hollywood Reporter: "I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol. The value that the fans and the show have given to my career is not lost on me. However, I have not felt that I have been free to conduct my career in a way that I am comfortable with.
"I look forward to being able to make my own choices about my career and to being able to make great music and play it for my fans."
But a spokesperson for 19 Entertainment said the company will fight the petition.
"We're very proud of everything we've accomplished together with Phillip, working closely to help nurture his extraordinary talent and advance his career," the representative said. "We have always acted in the best interest of Phillip. We will vigorously defend ourselves from any baseless claims to the contrary and from any attempt to interfere with our rights and relationships."
TV talent shows have long divided viewers, with some describing them as exploitative – and others branding winners who complain as "whingers".
Last month, English singer Sam Smith performed his hit Stay With Me on the UK version of The X Factor – then said that such shows are potentially "damaging" to songwriters.
In 2013, Leonardo's Bride frontwoman Abby Dobson – a top five artist with a gold record – drew some social media snark after auditioning for Channel Nine's The Voice. Despite being eliminated, Dobson said she would do it again, given the "beautiful response from fans".
